The Outerview Series: Part I - What is poetry?

      Poetry is speech worth remembering.  (Believe it or not, that was the long definition.)  Because there are only two kinds--two modes--of speech we only need to distinguish poetry from its opposite, prose, in order to define it.

     "Please, slow down.  I'm new to this.  Taking notes here."

     Fair enough.  Consider this:  If two people tell you the same joke using entirely different words, is it the same joke?

     "Yes, isn't that just saying that the same joke is the same joke?"

     Right.  It's called a tautology.  Now, if two people recite the same poem using entirely different words, is it the same poem?

     "Oh, I see.  It's all about the words, then."

     Exactly!  In short, poetry is verbatim.  

     "Wait, what about poetry readings?"

     "Poetry readings" is a contradiction in terms.  An oxymoron.  If the reader--often the author--can't be bothered to memorize and perform the work, why think the rest of us will?

     "Okay, what about reading poetry?  Say, in books."

      There are two fine reasons for reading poetry instead of listening to it.  The first is to memorize it after you've enjoyed hearing it.

     "And the second?"

      The other reason is to see why you or others want to memorize it.  This is called "prosody"--

      "Pross-who?  How do you spell that?" 

       P-R-O-S-O-D-Y.  A bag of tricks to help people remember your words.  A science, actually.

      In other words, the second reason involves reading critically, something you're most likely to practice as part of your education.

     "But what if I write something beautiful and heartfelt--"

      Prose--purple prose, at least--can be every bit as "beautiful and heartfelt" as poetry.  Both can be humorous, thoughtful, instructive, emo, nostalgic, political, provocative, handy, sad--literally, anything.

Thirty days hath September
April, June, and November.

      "What if my story rhymes?"   

       Then it becomes an attempt at poetry, since rhymes do help us remember.  If no one hears your words, though, it isn't communication, let alone poetry.  Just a tree falling in the forest.

       "No audience, no poetry.  Got it.  So, it's a poem because it has some of these prosody thingies but...not a poem if no one remembers it?  That sounds messed up."

       It is a conundrum, yes. As we say:  "Most poetry isn't."

       But wait.  It's about to get a lot messier.  Let's recap:

       Communication requires a sender and a receiver.

       "Clearly."

       Poetry is speech, not writing (which came much later, if at all, in cultures).  The fancy sounds, including rhymes, need to be heard to be appreciated.

       "Okay."

       It can explore any subject or theme with any level of passion or depth.

       "Agreed."

       It only asks to be remembered word for word.  That's why we recite poetry.  Prose?  Not so much.

       "Seems about right."

       Poetry is composed by poets...

       "Obviously."

       ...but if it needs to be preserved verbatim to avoid being prose, who is creating the poetry?

       "Wait.  What?"

       People can write a billion "poems" but they're just autumn leaves until someone takes one home.

       "I'm a little confused now."

       A book is only a manuscript until it is published.

       "Okay, that I understand."

       So who creates books?  Authors or publishers?"

        After a long pause:  "Oh-h-h...I think I get it now.  It's the movie producer, not the script writer, who produces movies.  Film.  Doh!" 

      

       Precisely.  Only the audience matters because only they can prove the words are worth memorizing--by doing the job themselves.  When all is said [even if nothing is done], poetry is what remains.

Next:  Where is poetry?

The Outerview Series

      These lectures, interrupted by an inquisitive young student, explore the essence and rudiments of poetry.  Your comments are welcome.